Hotel Esterel Marseille

Really beautiful train ride along the coast (which in a way it is a shame that the railway is right on the beach) Marseille is a bigger city and not so quaint but the port area is nice. Flew out of Marseille to Lisbon. I know not quite geographically logicall

... fight, as I make my way to Cours Julien, the main pedestrian/ night life area.

I push through the crowded streets, and find a well lit area to sit and watch. Cours Julien is split down the middle by a modest smattering of green space, fountains, and children's playgrounds. Its already late, but a few children still play on the swings and slides. However, the playgrounds are mostly dominated by groping teenagers.

On either side, crowded restaurants, cafes and ...

... rapprochement between these two countries, and that they were at the base of Europe, but hearing so much about Europe and its identity, to then watch the French and Germans still centring it around themselves is a bit confusing, especially when Sarkozy’s government is launching a huge campaign about French national identity. Even with the anniversary of the Berlin Wall, and thinking about how far Europe has come since then, I still remain slightly sceptical ...

... and instead went out to a great classic Provencal dinner, and got some good wine. But then, we started to see a couple kids in costumes, or rather just kids in sheets. I think one of them had a mask. But on our way back from dinner, we found the bar scene. Mostly it was just people out on a normal Saturday night, but we had to at least go check it out. We were somewhat impressed with the Halloween scene, and probably could ...

... planning at all!

But tonight we’re talking a relaxing voyage by boat over the Medeterranian. Which will be followed by another. A few relaxing sailing days it would seems. Not exactly what I thought we were going to be doing, but it will work. We have our own berth with a shower and bed. Oh the luxuries never end! At least these 2 fools will rest well tonight and prepare for what lies ahead.

... ask where they will sleep and what they will eat?" Yep, I reckon that’s about all they do. Jesus was lucky; he never had to score WiFi. But he could multiply fishes; now THAT’S cool.

Sometimes I tell my wife when I feel she’s not being appreciative that all she has to do is close her eyes, click her heels three times, then re-open her eyes and everything she needs is right within her grasp ...

... be a whole lot of food. Steamed potatoes that we covered in the melted cheese from the fondue machine were a perfect accompaniment to the vegetable soup and green salad. Of course, there was French bread and wine.  All of this was topped off with a delicious berry tart. I ate so much I felt as if I would burst at the seams.   Dominique's father and Michael had a great time discussing their military careers. Bernard, who speaks ...

Bonjour family and friends! Its been awhile since you heard from us. We apologize, its just that we have been taken hostage by the city of Marseille and kept away from the Internet!!! Tres horrible!! Actually we stayed in a nice hotel in the middle of nowhere near the airport. That was nice, but we couldn't access the city on foot and public transport is not accessible for the wheelchair. After we left the ...

... Martin and I took the local commuter rail to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, some 30 minutes from the bustle of Naples. Pompeii is famous for being covered in volcanic ashes for 1600 years after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. As a result, while much of the city was destroyed, much of it is preserved incredibly well. You can clearly make out where the streets, sidewalks, and houses were. It has a few amphitheaters and a PHENOMINAL coliseum. It ...

... commence en fait les calanques qui s'étendent jusqu'à Cassis. Ce sont des amas rocheux, parfois assez à pic, qui surplombent la Méditerrannée. Il y a des îles, des criques, et surtout, des paysages à couper le souffle. Sarah et moi nous déplaçons tranquillement et difficilement de plus en plus loin, rationannt l'eau le plus possible, et s'arrêtant parfois pour apprécier à pleine mesure ce qui s'offre devant nos yeux. Les photos que Sarah et moi y ont pris résumeront mieux que ces ...